Florida House: Schools Must Display 'In God We Trust'

The House on Wednesday approved the bill on a 97-10 vote

Published Feb 21, 2018 at 2:36 PM

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WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 14: The words "In God We Trust" are seen on U.S. currency October 14, 2004 in Washington, DC. Although the U.S. constitution prohibits an official state religion, references to God appear on American money, the U.S. Congress starts its daily session with a prayer, and the same U.S. Supreme Court that has consistently struck down organized prayer in public schools as unconstitutional opens its public sessions by asking for the blessings of God. The Supreme Court will soon use cases from Kentucky and Texas to consider the constitutionality of Ten Commandments displays on government property, addressing a church-state issue that has ignited controversy around the country. (Photo Illustration by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Every Florida school and school administrative building will have to prominently display "In God we trust" under a bill passed by the Florida House.

The House on Wednesday approved the bill on a 97-10 vote.

Rep. Kimberly Daniels, a Jacksonville Democrat and sponsor of the bill, cited the recent shootings at a Florida high school during her closing speech on the bill. Seventeen people were killed last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Daniels said that God is the "light" and "our schools need light in them like never before."

She added that gun issues need to be addressed, but the "real thing that needs to be addressed are issues of the heart."

It's not clear if the bill will pass the Florida Legislature. The Senate has not heard the bill this session.